Waitrose enjoyed its biggest ever week outside of Christmas in the week ending 30 March as total sales reached Â£140.7 million. This was a 33.9% increase on the same week last year and a 14.8% rise on Easter week 2012.

GENERAL MERCHANDISE

Waitrose enjoys record breaking Easter

8 April 2013 | by The Retail Bulletin

Waitrose enjoyed its biggest ever week outside of Christmas in the week ending 30 March as total sales reached Â£140.7 million. This was a 33.9% increase on the same week last year and a 14.8% rise on Easter week 2012.

Online sales at Waitrose.com also had a record breaking week, again the biggest week outside of Christmas, with sales up 93% on the same week last year and by 57.8% when compared to last year's Easter week.

The grocer said it saw record sales of confectionery and lamb with sales of Easter confectionery rising 29% on Easter week last year and sales of pre-packed lamb up 49% year-on-year.

Hot cross buns and service counter fish also sold well as customers kept to a Good Friday tradition. Wine saw a 500% surge in sales due to a 25% off fine wine promotion held over the weekend.

Waitrose supply chain director David Jones added: "Easter cookie cutters were a must-have after being featured on 'The Great British Bake Off Easter Masterclass', as Paul Hollywood and Mary Berry used them to prepare Easter shortbread."

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